Chapter Text
I run a brush through my long thick hair one final time before gathering it at the neck and tying it there. It is now pure white without a trace of the former russet and unbound it hangs below my waist, the length and the color both a testimony to my great age. It will take some time to braid it and I still must work on my beard before I am ready to begin my afternoon task. It is not my usual practice to bathe and dress up in finery in the middle of the day, but it will not do to meet new folks with the scent of sheep still upon my hair and clothing even though the elves I will meet today are likely rather familiar with that particular smell.
It has been two days past since my lad surprised me with the gift of a flock of sheep. Since then I have spent my mornings among them, learning about them and getting to know them and my afternoons researching as much as I can on sheep husbandry. Needless to say little else has been on my mind and it seems that the intriguing creatures even enter my dreams, which is a far cry better than the dark dreams that had been plaguing me before that.
Of course Master Forodren, who is primarily in charge of our livestock made sure we had the basics for sheep care before he agreed to take on the flock, so he and Hwiniol had already spied out the area and modified a couple of natural caves for the sheep to shelter in in inclement weather until a proper barn could be built out there. Sheep are hardy creatures in some ways, for they can graze in areas too rough for cattle and can live outdoors almost year round, though they need to be kept scrupulously dry for a few days before shearing. Master Forodren has also informed me that many of the ewes in our new flock are already in lamb, and that sheep normally give birth to twins or even triplets, meaning in a month or so our flock is likely to increase considerably.
While Forodren is a skilled stockman, he is primarily a horsemaster and came to us for that purpose. He is not keen to divide his time with the horses by having to deal with ‘lesser’ creatures. We have Hwiniol who handles the few cattle and Aerlinn and Canthui who care for the hens, but taking care of a flock of sheep is a full time occupation, leading us quickly to the conclusion that it was time to increase our staff once again, the sooner the better.
The normal procedure-the one we’ve always used in the past- for hiring staff is to send word that we are in the market and then reading through replies and sorting out the ones that seem best suited and bringing them in to meet in person. This time, however time was of the essence for a small household such as ours has need of everyone’s hands. We have already lost considerable time this year over the terrible ordeal with Dagnir and of course my elfling is still mostly out of commission as far as being much help in getting things done and likely will be for some weeks to come. The work on the library has been all but discontinued as the vineyard needs to be completed this year if we hope to have a grape crop at all, meaning that those who have normally come to build, have kindly offered themselves up for planting and pruning instead. We have been very fortunate in our friends!
But what all of this means is that we are in dire need for new staff, so there has been no time to respond in the usual way. Instead, I just sent Hwiniol off to pass the word that we were looking for a shepherd and we’ll see what we see as to what the response will be. I have a feeling the response will be considerable, for Car Annûn is already known as a unique and pleasant place to work and that’s besides the folks who would show up just to see a real live dwarf up close. Even though I have resided here on the island for several seasons, a dwarf is still a bit of a novelty, especially to folks who have lived here their whole life and had no contact with other races.
This is why I find getting all dressed up in the middle of the day, for Master Forodren and myself will be interviewing prospective candidates for the post and hopefully will have a shepherd before sunset today. Again this is not a usual circumstance, as normally I would insist that Legolas handle this sort of thing himself. It is good practice for him to manage such things for he has to learn how to run our growing household on his own. Even though he did so in Ithilien it could hardly be considered the same thing since his entire, already well-trained staff was handed picked by his father and all of them knew who they really answered to in the end. Here it is different. Thranduil is not here and there is no way of knowing when he will arrive, so there is no higher authority that must be impressed. My lad very well may have to handle things alone if I go to my long rest before his father sails, so now is the time for him to learn how to do so while I am here to help guide his steps or to help him learn to consult those who can be of help, rather than stubbornly refusing assistance as he is wont to do at times.
But as I said, this is a special circumstance. The lad is not yet well and we need someone immediately, meaning the chore of hiring someone falls to me.
As if this thinking of my elfling has conjured him up, Legolas silently enters through the dressing room door that connects our chambers, coming up behind me. He is meant to be resting, so my first reaction is to frown at his reflection in the mirror, but he pretends not to notice and just takes the long tail of my hair in his hands and begins braiding it for me.
“Here, Elvellon, let me help you. I’ll do this while you work on your beard,” he says, and since I am in a hurry, I simply nod and swiftly begin combing it out and the sectioning it off to plait. He makes quick work of my hair, but rather than going back to his own chambers, he sits in the middle of my bed to watch me finish getting ready.
When I am finished I turn toward him and raise an eyebrow, inclining my head toward the door he just entered through. I know he knows what I mean. He is meant to be resting.
“Could I not go with you to see you conduct the interviews?” he entreats me, “It is hardly what you would call physically stressing and I promise to stay out of the way.”
I am sure I must have a skeptical expression on my face, for that may be the most contrived excuse to avoid sleeping that I have ever heard from him.
“Ye’ve never shown interest in such things before,” I point out, “in fact if I recall correctly, it was like pulling teeth to get ye to read through letters from perspective maids back before we found Mistress Elanor and I practically had to drag ye by the ear and sit on ye to convince ye to sit down and interview the applicants. Why the sudden change?”
“That was different,” he informs me, “back then I…”
“Had more interesting things to do outside in the gardens,” I finish for him. “Where now the other option is to nap all afternoon.”
He scowls at the thought and I have to hide a smile at the expression on his face as if he tastes something especially foul.
“I am getting tired of it,” he admits.
“Of course ye are, lamb,” I agree reaching out to draw him to his feet, “That is to be expected and I take it as a sign that ye are healing well.”
For a moment he looks hopeful but I quickly squash any false ideas that he may have that he is getting around me again, for I have already been too lax over the last couple of days.
“However,” I continue, “that does not mean things have changed just because ye are getting bored with the routine. Ye have been badly injured and gravely ill, not to mention having lost a dangerous amount of weight. What ye have suffered through has taken a very serious physical toll on ye and it is not something to be pushed aside lightly. Lord Elrond has given me very strict instructions on your care as ye continue to heal and for right now part of that means plenty of sleep, which for now includes napping in the afternoon.”
He huffs in frustration and his scowl deepens. If I hadn’t been informed time and again that warriors do not pout, I would say he is becoming dangerously close to doing so.
“Haven’t you said before that Elrond was full of hot air?” he grumbles.
”Aye, so I have,” I chuckle, “and I still say it is so at times, but he is also a healer without peer and a dear friend, and no amount of sulking will get me to contradict his orders. Now get on with ye. I have no more time to stand here debating with ye.”
I send him off with a light swat and then follow him into his own chambers and watch until he climbs under the covers. I wish I had time to sit with him until he is resting comfortably, but already I am later than I should be and Legolas would likely be mortified if I asked someone else to ‘elfling sit’ in my place. Besides that he looks merely disgruntled rather than upset, but just in case I remind him that I will be just downstairs where he will most likely be able to hear me if he listens and of course come to find me if there is a need.
“Though being bored does not count as a reason to leave your bed, youngling, so think on before ye make any foolish decisions that ye might regret. I’ll be finished sooner than ye think and I’ll tell ye everything of interest that happened and hopefully introduce ye to our new shepherd later on today,” I promise, hoping that will make up for the indignity of having to nap.
He rewards me with a small smile and I kiss him on top of the head before heading downstairs to meet the horde.